Courts

Man charged with bus attack on woman in Rathfarnham was identified after Crimecall broadcast, court told

Martin Ball (36) from Tallaght was told not to travel on Go Ahead bus route as part of bail conditions

FILE GARDA STOCK A stock picture of the Garda badge logo. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday January 16, 2019. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire
The suspect was located and arrested for questioning following a significant public response.
Tom Tuite
Wed Jan 29 2025 - 16:32

A man charged with attacking a woman on a bus in Dublin was identified through RTÉ‘s Crimecall programme, a court has heard.

The alleged incident in Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, on May 29th, 2024, featured in a public appeal for assistance last week.

Martin Ball (36), of Gleann na hEorna, Springfield, Tallaght, appeared before Judge Paula Murphy at Dublin District Court on Wednesday.

He was granted bail with a condition not to travel on a specific bus route.

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Mr Ball is charged with assault causing harm to a woman at Grange Road.

Garda Sergeant Bryan Duff said that due to the nature of the case, directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) needed to be obtained.

Dressed in a black coat, blue jeans, black runners and cream jumper, Mr Ball did not address the court and has yet to indicate a plea.

There was no objection to bail with conditions. No evidence about the alleged assault was given during the brief hearing.

Judge Murphy ordered Mr Ball to have no contact directly or indirectly with the alleged injured party or any witness, to reside at his current address, to sign on three days a week at his local Garda station and to stay off the S8 Go Ahead bus, which the court was told goes through Rathfarnham to Cabinteely.

Mr McMorrow argued that the signing-on condition was “a little onerous” for his client, who worked full-time and had no prior convictions. The defence was agreeable to all the other terms.

The court sergeant asked it to be part of the bail conditions due to the nature of the charge, and he added that the accused had been identified through Crimecall.

Judge Murphy said that because of the lengths gardaí had to go to locate him, she was leaving the requirement for Mr Ball to sign on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. She added that the issue could revisited.

The accused was remanded on his bond of €300 to appear again on March 12th for the DPP’s direction to be conveyed. Judge Murphy held that he was a suitable candidate for free legal aid, which was granted.